Bargain or not ?

[vickster]

It's a rip off cuz it's a Spesh^ They have been robbing punters for years with overpriced/under-specced bikes imho.

Think he’s bought the Giant Contend in the first post? Which was £750 new I assume

 

[cougie uk]

I bought it for £230 knocked her down £20 as needs a new back break

I'd be amazed if it does need a new brake rather than just a bit of fettling.

 

[DRM]

I'd be amazed if it does need a new brake rather than just a bit of fettling.

I would not be amazed at all, even if they work, the standard fit Tektro's that Giant fit are such poor performers that I'd take them off and bin them, in fact that's exactly what I did with my Defy, and fitted a pair of 105 calipers, the bike actually stops as it should, not that different to discs in the dry, it's like night & day in performance, and a dead easy upgrade

 

[DRM]

Shimano 105 5800 Brake Caliper | Rim Brakes | Wiggle
In stock, the best £52 you can spend, and you've already got a bit towards them from what you negotiated off the asking price

 

[cougie uk]

I would not be amazed at all, even if they work, the standard fit Tektro's that Giant fit are such poor performers that I'd take them off and bin them, in fact that's exactly what I did with my Defy, and fitted a pair of 105 calipers, the bike actually stops as it should, not that different to discs in the dry, it's like night & day in performance, and a dead easy upgrade

I have tektro on my fixed wheel bike. They work fine - certainly didn't feel the need to replace them.

 

[bonzobanana]

I have tektro on my fixed wheel bike. They work fine - certainly didn't feel the need to replace them.

Another vote for Tektro brakes here, I've had Tektro V brakes on a Saracen Xile bike that worked great and Tektro dual pivot on a entry level road bike. Admittedly I'm rating them when they were probably well used and had better brake blocks than originally fitted but worked great. In fact thinking about it I feel the mechanisms are far less important than the actual brake blocks fitted. Many of the higher priced dual pivot brakes just seem to be lighter rather than actually have any mechanical advantage in the way they brake. They seem amazing compared to some old side pull Shimano calipers I've got on an old Specialized Sirrus Triple road bike. The same Tektro brakes I've got on a road bike I've seen on a fairly high end Decathlon road bike (for them) with the btwin branding on a few years ago. I was quite impressed because my bike was only a Muddyfox Race 200 which I paid £130 for new. Anyway you will find Tektro dual pivot brakes on a lot of Claris, Sora, Tiagra bikes from a lot of big brands not just Giant.

 

[Alex321]

If it's the brake caliper that's needed get a pair of 105 calipers, it'll be a huge improvement on the dreadful Tektro things that Giant fit as standard

But Bonzobonana says Giant bikes come with better spec than others?

 

[Jody]

I have tektro on my fixed wheel bike. They work fine - certainly didn't feel the need to replace them.

Agreed. I swapped the standard Tektro on my Defy to 105 based on what others said. Made no difference to power or feel.

 

[DRM]

Well the death traps that came as standard on mine were definitely sub standard, especially after nearly going through a T junction in the wet ,accompanied by much screeching, the 105's are quite capable of a pulling the bike up sharp, with no issues

 

[Sittingduck]

Think he’s bought the Giant Contend in the first post? Which was £750 new I assume

Yep - I was referring to the post above mine, which was about the spec (or lack of it) of a Specialized.

 

[Suddabym]

Looks like you’ve done well with that. Let us know what it’s like to ride and post a pics when it’s up and running.

Will do 😃

 

[Suddabym]

Good morning,

£750 that's a bargain, the new Claris equipped bottom of the range Allez is £899 https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/allez/p/199476?color=322262-199476 and it's not even disc braked which usually adds a bit to the price and it's got a Sunrace cassette.

There is nothing wrong with Sunrace, but it stinks of penny pinching on a £900 bike, or at least a £750 bike before the VAT man has his say.

I actually feel sorry for LBSs trying to sell these sort of bikes, assuming that they have any to sell, although Boardman's specs are creeping downwards and they are from Halfords.... but there is such a difference in spec.

Edit 08:43

A while back I was considering a Specialised Secteur, it had the 2300 series drive train, the one that was considered too down market to have a name, but eventually became Claris. Was that Specialized's idea, oh look we have upgraded the drivetrain to a named series ?
End

Bye

Ian

It doesn’t have Claris it has campagnolo

 

[Suddabym]

So can someone point me in the right direction maybe with a link as to what break hoods I should order please ?? Oh and what size stem screws I need please

 

[Sittingduck]

Super confused, and I ain’t even started on the NYE drinkies yet

 

[Alex321]

It doesn’t have Claris it has campagnolo

Any reasoning behind that false statement?